NFL
Top 5 Buffalo Bills Players of All-Time + Fan Rankings
Create your own all-time rankings of the top 5 greatest players in Bills history from Bruce Smith to Jim Kelly to OJ Simpson to Andre Reed
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Josh Allen broke a number of Bills records including the most career RUSH TD (26) by a QB on September 26, 2021 exactly one year ago, so it’s a great time to look at the top 5 Bills players of all time with him looking to be a likely contender for this list in the near future.
Founded in 1960 as an AFL team, the Buffalo Bills transitioned to the NFL in 1970. After struggling initially, the team found moderate success in the 1970s and 1980s, appearing in three Playoff games until 1988, when the franchise would end up taking off. Led by a core of legendary players that would etch their names in Bills history, Buffalo made the Postseason 10 times in 12 seasons, reaching four consecutive Super Bowls from 1990-1993, but infamously were defeated in all four games.
Despite this unenviable piece of history, the Bills enjoyed enormous success during their run with a roster that contained a number of Hall of Famers and some of the likes are cemented on rankings like these forever. However, the Bills would struggle immensely in the 2000s, enduring a 17-year playoff drought that was broken in 2017 which led to a revival of the franchise thanks to drafting Wyoming QB Josh Allen during the first round in 2018.
Despite the relative lack of success from the team for most of the 21st century, Buffalo’s fans always remained one of the loudest, most dedicated bunch in American sports with “Bills Mafia” having a reputation for being one of the more passionate fanbases in all of sports. This list includes Pro-Bowlers, All-Pros, and many legendary players that will always be remembered by Bills and football fans alike. Honorable mention includes: Billy Shaw, Joe DeLamielleure, Kyle Williams, and Steve Tasker with Josh Allen likely entering this conversation soon.
Here are the top 5 greatest Buffalo Bills players of all time. Create your own rankings below!
– 11x Pro Bowl | 8x All-Pro 1st Team, 2x 2nd Team
– 1980s & 1990s NFL All-Decade | Most NFL SK (200) ever
– 2x NFL DPOY | 2x NFL FF leader | Most GP (133) of 1+ SK
As the leader of the defense for a legendary Bills team that appeared in four consecutive Super Bowls, Bruce Smith racked up an NFL record 200 career sacks that solidifies him as one of the greatest defensive players of all-time.
Bruce Smith's HOF resume:
– 11x Pro Bowl
– 8x All-Pro 1st Team, 2x 2nd Team
– 2x NFL DPOY
– 2x NFL FF leader
– 1980s & 1990s NFL All-Decade
– Most career SK (200) in NFL history
– #78 retired by #Billspic.twitter.com/KCAEPcm1tw— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) September 26, 2022
– 5x Pro Bowl | 1992 All-Pro 2nd Team | #12 retired by Bills
– Bills PASS YDS (35,467) & PASS TD (237) leader
– Only QB to start 4 consecutive Super Bowls
Jim Kelly built a Hall of Fame career as the signal-caller for Buffalo, leading the team to four consecutive Super Bowls while setting every franchise record possible on his way to Canton.
Jim Kelly's HOF resume:
– 5x Pro Bowl
– 1992 All-Pro 2nd Team
– 1991 NFL PASS TD (33) leader
– 1990 CMP% (63.3) & PASS RTG (101.2) leader
– Only QB to start 4 consecutive Super Bowls
– Bills PASS YDS (35,467) & PASS TD (237) leader
– #12 retired by #Billspic.twitter.com/qJzvk0PQWm— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) April 27, 2022
– 5x All-Pro 1st Team | 5x Pro Bowl | 1970s NFL All-Decade
– 1973 NFL MVP | NFL season RUSH YPG (143.1) leader
– 4x NFL RUSH YDS leader | 2x NFL RUSH TD leader
One of the NFL’s original superstar Running Backs, OJ Simpson displayed generational running talent, putting up some of the greatest rushing seasons of all time before his off-field controversies clouded his impressive on-field football legacy.
O.J. Simpson's HOF resume:
– 5x All-Pro 1st Team
– 5x Pro Bowl
– 1973 NFL MVP & NFL OPOY
– 4x NFL RUSH YDS leader
– 2x NFL RUSH TD leader
– 1970s NFL All-Decade
– NFL season RUSH YPG (143.1) leader
– 1st player with 2,000+ season RUSH YDSpic.twitter.com/PyEgosZ8O5— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) July 20, 2022
– 7x Pro Bowl | 2x All-Pro 2nd Team | HOF class of 2006
– Bills career REC YDS (13,095) & REC TD (86) leader
– Bills Playoff REC YDS (1,229) & REC TD (9) leader
Serving as Jim Kelly’s security blanket for a decade, Andre Reed consistently posted great seasons for Buffalo, cementing himself as one of the best Bills ever. The 7x Pro Bowler is undoubtedly the greatest WR in the history of football in New York.
Andre Reed’s HOF resume:
– 7x Pro Bowl
– 2x All-Pro 2nd Team
– #Bills career REC YDS (13,095) & REC TD (86) leader https://t.co/JopE9zMdad— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) September 26, 2022
– 5x Pro-Bowl | 2x All-Pro 1st Team, 3x 2nd Team
– 1991 NFL MVP & OPOY | 1990s NFL All-Decade Team
– Most career RUSH YDS (11,938), TD (65), & YScm (16,279)
A bruising, physical runner, Thurman Thomas used his toughness to put up eight consecutive 1,000-yard seasons for Buffalo. His record of four straight seasons leading the NFL in Yards from Scrimmage still stands today as his dominant peak and impressive longevity make him one of the best Bills ever.
Thurman Thomas' HOF resume:
– 5x Pro-Bowl
– 2x All-Pro 1st Team, 3x 2nd Team
– 1991 NFL MVP & OPOY
– 1991 NFL RUSH YPA (4.9) leader
– 1990s NFL All-Decade
– Most consecutive seasons (4) leading NFL in YScm everpic.twitter.com/dXTxnbFXh4— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) September 26, 2022
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